tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713231510890712652.post7280189415137046887..comments2024-03-02T08:27:42.344+00:00Comments on Theological Scribbles: Divine action and quantum theoryRobin Parryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08856329564156757485noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713231510890712652.post-64009405160449024822012-02-03T10:15:34.175+00:002012-02-03T10:15:34.175+00:00I think that Keith Ward’s idea is significant for ...I think that Keith Ward’s idea is significant for the following reason: <br /><br />The physical sciences have shown beyond reasonable doubt that the physical universe is not deterministic (as previously believed) but probabilistic. Thus, the state of a physical system does not determine its future state, but a probability distribution of future states. Even so many people believe that this fact about the physical universe inhibits God’s power of special providence. For example, that if God had designed the evolution of the species or, say, the cognitive faculties of humankind, then the physical sciences would be able to detect God’s respective interference in the universe’s probabilistic machinery. But the sciences have not detected any such massive interference, and therefore the premise that God has interfered is falsified. But then science leaves space only for a deistic, absent landlord, kind of god. <br /><br />This is I think a valid and powerful argument. Many atheistic beliefs, from Richard Dawkins claiming that theism is a scientific hypothesis about the universe, to Victor Stenger’s book “God: The Failed Hypothesis: How Science Shows That God Does Not Exist”, are based on this argument. <br /><br />In this context it is I think remarkable that the structure of physical theory (and in particular of quantum mechanics) is such that it allows for God’s special providence (as well as for human free will). Indeed it can be demonstrated that it is possible for God to to freely and massively interfere with the universe’s machinery (as well as for humans to have free will) without affecting the universe’s physical closure. See <a href="http://secularoutpost.infidels.org/2009/08/more-on-naturalism-and-consciousness.html?showComment=1252675832911#c8489903451144502691" rel="nofollow">here for a short exposition</a>.Dianelos Georgoudishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09925591703967774000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713231510890712652.post-9000111842414778402012-02-02T09:16:47.888+00:002012-02-02T09:16:47.888+00:00I've posted this on my own blog: http://christ...I've posted this on my own blog: http://christpantokrator.blogspot.com/2012/02/lydia-jaeger-on-divine-action-and-laws.htmlTerry Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01641805384260706563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713231510890712652.post-18842331123439040122012-02-02T09:08:17.942+00:002012-02-02T09:08:17.942+00:00Thanks for the link, Gavin. If the abstract for he...Thanks for the link, Gavin. If the abstract for her talk is an indication of what's in the book, it should be an interesting read.Terry Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01641805384260706563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713231510890712652.post-54552048005584636632012-02-01T18:23:32.250+00:002012-02-01T18:23:32.250+00:00She spoke on this area (if my memory is right..) a...She spoke on this area (if my memory is right..) at the London Christians in Science conference last year.<br /><br />http://www.cis.org.uk/conferences/past-conferences/london-2011/Gavinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12797782867726567121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2713231510890712652.post-27748540272009987952012-02-01T16:15:53.844+00:002012-02-01T16:15:53.844+00:00And what is her overall thesis? (I ask, because th...And what is her overall thesis? (I ask, because the quotation expresses sentiments that have been expressed before.)Terry Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01641805384260706563noreply@blogger.com